Interspecific tree named ‘Sangria Red’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Tree having a vigorous, upright growth habit.   2. Tree being a regular and productive bearer of medium to large size fruit.   3. Fruit with a high degree of attractive reddish purple skin color.   4. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.   5. Fruit with good storage and shipping ability.

Botanical designation: Interspecific Prunus species.

Variety denomination: ‘Sangria Red’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuing plant-breeding program including the organization and asexual reproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It was against this background of our activities that the present variety of interspecific tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of interspecific and apricot trees, which are known to us, and mentioned herein, ‘Bella Jewel’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,106), ‘Bella Cerise’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,815), ‘Dapple Supreme’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,412), and the proprietary non-patented interspecific seedling selections ‘76MA153’, ‘19ZD725’ and the proprietary non-patented apricot ‘160LH337’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree was developed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. from a first generation cross between ‘Bella Jewel’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,106) and our proprietary non-patented interspecific seedling selection ‘76MA153’. The pollen parent (76MA153) originated as an open pollinated seedling selection from the proprietary non-patented interspecific seedling ‘19ZD725’, which originated from a first generation cross between our proprietary apricot seedling ‘160LH337’ and ‘Bella Cerise’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,815). A large number of these first generation seedlings were grown and budded onto older trees of ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented) to accelerate rapid fruit production. Under close and careful observation we recognized the desirable tree and fruit characteristics of the present seedling and selected it in 2014 for additional asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

In 2014 asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of interspecific tree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), as performed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present new and distinct variety of interspecific tree is of large size, vigorous, upright growth and a regular and productive bearer of medium to large size clingstone fruit with an attractive reddish purple skin color. The fruit is further characterized by its firm, red flesh, good flavor and eating quality with good handling and shipping ability. In comparison to its seed parent ‘Bella Jewel’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,106) the fruit of the new variety has glabrous skin compared to pubescent and is approximately 8 days earlier in maturity. In comparison to its proprietary non-patented interspecific pollen parent ‘76MA153’ the fruit of the new variety is approximately 19 days later in maturity. In comparison to the commercial variety ‘Dapple Supreme’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,412) the fruit of the new variety is approximately 20 days earlier in maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. The illustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, an exterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shipping ripe) from a 6 year old tree and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of 6 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color in accordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Large, pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and width             for economical harvesting of fruit. Varies with different             cultural practices.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous, tree growth of 1.5 to 2 meters the first             growing season. Varies with cultural practices, soil type,             fertility and climatic conditions.         -   Form.—Upright growth, usually pruned to vase shape.         -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 35°,             increases with heavy crop load.         -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit             necessary for desired market size fruit. Number of fruit set             varies with climatic conditions during blooming period.         -   Bearer.—Regular, has had adequate fruit set 4 consecutive             years. No alternate bearing observed.         -   Fertility.—Self sterile, pollinator required.         -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to             increase air movement and sunlight to enhance fruit color             and health of fruit spurs.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of             California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter             chilling requirement approximately 650 hours at or below 45°             F. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Medium, average circumference 53.3 cm at 25.4 cm above             ground on a 6 year old tree.         -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.         -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.         -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 3/2 to 10YR 2/2. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 14.7 cm at 1.2 meters             above ground. Crotch angle approximately 35°, increases with             heavy crop load.         -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth             medium rough, roughness increases with age.         -   Lenticels.—Average number 73 in a 25.8 square cm area.             Average length 3.8 mm. Average width 1.3 mm. Color 10YR 4/6.         -   Color.—New growth 2.5GY 6/8. Mature growth varies from 5YR             3/4 to 5YR 2/4, varies with age of growth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 83.4 mm. Average width 35.6 mm.         -   Form.—Elliptical.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Serrate.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface texture.—Upper surface smooth, slight indentations             over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface relatively smooth,             except for small ridges created by midrib and pinnate             venation. Both upper and lower surfaces glabrous.         -   Petiole.—Average length 17.8 mm. Average width 1.6 mm.             Longitudinally grooved. Surface — glabrous. Color varies             from 5GY 7/4 to 5GY 7/6.         -   Glands.—Type — globose. Size — small. Average length 0.1 mm.             Average diameter 0.1 mm. Number varies from 1 to 3, average             number 2. Located primarily on the base of the leaf blade             and upper portion of the petiole. Color 5GY 7/4.         -   Stipules.—None present at time of measurement.         -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 4/4 to 5GY 3/4. Lower             surface 5GY 5/4. Midvein color 5GY 7/4. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 9.7 mm. Average             diameter 5.9 mm.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.         -   Density.—Medium dense.         -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 6.0 mm. Average width 0.9 mm.             Surface- glabrous. Color varies from 2.5GY 7/6 to 2.5GY 7/8.         -   Color.—N 9.5/(white).         -   Number of buds per spur.—Varies from 5 to 11, average number             7. -   Flowers:     -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 17, 2020. Date of             Petal Fall Feb. 27, 2020, varies slightly with climatic             conditions.         -   Size.—Medium to large. Average height 9.5 mm. Average             diameter 18.4 mm.         -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Size —             medium. Average length 10.9 mm. Average width 7.3 mm. Petal             apex — rounded. Petal base — truncate. Form — elliptical.             Arrangement — free. Margin — sinuate. Color N 9.5/(white).             Surface — glabrous.         -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —             medium. Average length 3.3 mm. Average width 2.5 mm. Apex —             triangular. Margin — entire. Both upper and lower surfaces             glabrous. Color — upper surface varies from 10Y 7/8 to 2.5GY             7/10. Lower surface varies from 2.5GY 7/6 to 2.5GY 6/6.         -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 32. Average filament             length 8.3 mm. Filament color N 9.5/(white). Anther color             varies from 5Y 8/8 to 5Y 8/10.         -   Pollen.—Self sterile, pollinator required. Color varies from             2.5Y 7/12 to 5Y 7/12.         -   Pistil.—Number — normally one. Average length 9.0 mm.             Position of stigma an average of 1.5 mm below anthers.             Surface — glabrous. Color varies from 10Y 8/4 to 2.5GY 8/6.         -   Fragrance.—Heavy aroma.         -   Color.—N 9.5/(white).         -   Pedicel.—Average length 8.0 mm. Average width 1.0 mm. Color             varies from 2.5GY 7/8 to 2.5GY 6/8.         -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Average number 2, varies from             2 to 3. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe and ready for             consumption.         -   Date of first picking.—May 30, 2020.         -   Date of last picking.—Jun. 9, 2020, varies slightly with             climatic conditions.         -   Size.—Medium to large. Average diameter axially 47.8 mm.             Average transversely in suture plane 59.9 mm. Average weight             107.9 grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil,             amount of thinning and climatic conditions.         -   Form.—Globose.         -   Suture.—Nearly smooth.         -   Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth.         -   Apex.—Rounded to very slightly retuse.         -   Base.—Slightly retuse.         -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.             Average depth 6.6 mm. Average diameter 5.3 mm. -   Stem:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 15.9 mm. Average             diameter 2.0 mm.         -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 4/6 to 2.5GY 6/6. -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.         -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.         -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.         -   Firmness.—Firm, comparable to other commercial interspecific             varieties.         -   Aroma.—Slight.         -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.         -   Eating quality.—Good.         -   Flavor.—Good.         -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.         -   Acidity.—Not available.         -   Brix.—Average Brix 12.0°, varies slightly with amount of             fruit per tree and climatic conditions.         -   Color.—Varies from 5R 3/10 to 7.5R 2/6.         -   Pit cavity.—Average length 22.8 mm. Average width 21.8 mm.             Average depth 7.5 mm. Color varies from 5R 3/6 to 5R 3/8. -   Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Bloom.—Present.         -   Tendency to crack.—None.         -   Color.—Ground color varies from 10Y 7/6 to 10Y 6/6.             Overspread with 5R 3/10 to 7.5R 2/8. Areas where ground             color is exposed giving a speckled appearance         -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.         -   Astringency.—Slight to none. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone, medium adherence to flesh.         -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 21.8 mm. Average width             20.8 mm. Average thickness 12.9 mm.         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Base.—Flat.         -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length 1.3 mm.         -   Surface.—Pitted throughout, pits vary from round to             elongated.         -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending slightly further from the             suture plane.         -   Tendency to split.—None.         -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 6/8 to 10YR 5/8, when dry. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 11.8 mm. Average width             11.3 mm. Average depth 6.5 mm.         -   Form.—Ovate.         -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.         -   Skin color.—Varies from 7.5Y 9/4 to 10Y 9/4. -   Use: Dessert.     -   -   Market.—Local and long distance. -   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage 3 weeks at 38° to     42° F. without shriveling, internal breakdown of flesh or     appreciable loss of flavor. -   Shipping quality: Good, showed minimal skin scarring or flesh     bruising during picking, packing and shipping trials. -   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing     for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been     designed. Under close observation during planting, growing and     harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions     near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance     or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety observed during     indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal fungus, bacterial,     virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and eliminated from our     breeding program. No atypical resistances/susceptibilities have been     noted under normal cultural practices.

The present new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soil conditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown. The present description is that of the variety grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, substantially as illustrated and described. 